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Labor Day travel to be busiest in 6 years

Some 86% of travelers will take to roads for end-of-summer flings

Staff report

Updated:
08/28/2014 05:31:26 PM EDT

Traffic will get heavy on Interstate 81 this Labor Day weekend as more people are traveling by car. (Markell DeLoatch — Public Opinion)

Noah Tolleson, left, and this brother, Ben, spend time Thursday at Long Pine Reservoir near Caledonia State Park, one of many destinations for people traveling over the holiday weekend. (Markell DeLoatch — Public Opinion)

FRANKLIN COUNTY &GT;&GT; Labor Day travel is expected to be its busiest in 6 years, given an improving economy and decreasing gas prices.

AAA Travel projects 34.7 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, the highest volume since 2008 and a 1.3 percent increase over 2013.

Nearly 86 percent of travelers will celebrate with a final road trip before summer comes to a close.

Consumer spending is continuing to rise despite stagnant income growth. In the third quarter of this year spending is expected to increase 3.8 percent year-over-year, while disposable personal income is only expected to increase 1.4 percent. Reliance on credit cards, rather than increasing income, is fueling holiday travel spending this year. While economic growth is slow, consumers are feeling more comfortable taking on debt.

"This year, Americans are more optimistic about their financial situation," said AAA Chief Operating Officer Marshall L. Doney. "Consumer spending continues to outpace disposable income, indicating that Americans are comfortable using their credit cards to take one last summer vacation this year."

Most U.S. consumers are paying the lowest gas prices for early August since 2010. AAA expects gas prices to have little impact on the number of people traveling for Labor Day, though lower prices could help make travel more affordable.

Barring a major development, such as a Gulf Coast hurricane, prices are likely to remain relatively low leading up to the holiday weekend compared to recent years, which will allow travelers to allocate more of their budgets towards travel expenses.

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The current price of gas is $3.44 compared to $3.59 on Labor Day last year.

During the busy Labor Day travel holiday, PennDOT, state and municipal police are focusing their efforts on reducing alcohol-and drug-related crashes. During last year's Labor Day weekend, there were 150 alcohol-related crashes and two fatalities as well as 47 drug-related crashes and seven fatalities.

Bob Dingle, Chambersburg, spends the start of his four-day Labor Day weekend kayaking Thursday at Long Pine Reservoir. (Markell DeLoatch — Public Opinion)

Statewide police statistics show that there were 54,121 driving under the influence arrests in 2013, a decrease from 56,317 in 2012. DUI-drug arrests continue to account for a larger percentage of these arrests, with 18,987 such arrests in 2013, an increase from 17,064 in 2012.

Pennsylvania's DUI Task Forces, the Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement statewide will conduct checkpoints and roving patrols as part of the crackdown.

Funding comes from part of PennDOT's statewide distribution of $4.2 million in federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission officials want motorists to stay alert and pay attention to speed limit signs over the holiday weekend as nearly 2.2 million vehicles are expected to travel the highway during the four-day holiday weekend. With some areas of the Turnpike now posted at 70 MPH, motorists are advised to be aware of where the speed limit is reduced.

Work zones within the 70 MPH zone between Blue Mountain (Exit #201) and Morgantown (Exit 298) are posted at 55 MPH, and some curves are posted at advisory speeds between 60 to 65 MPH. With the increase in traffic expected over the holiday weekend, motorists are asked to pay attention to the posted speed limit and drive safely.

To prepare for the higher traffic volume, Turnpike road maintenance will be suspended from 3 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Sept. 3. This will allow all travel lanes to be open to traffic except in the case of emergencies.

Construction activity that does not affect travel lanes may continue behind protective barriers in some areas, thereby reducing shoulder widths.

However, at least two lanes in each direction will remain open except possibly during an emergency.

Turnpike motorists should be prepared for possible delays and congestion at interchanges during peak travel times on Aug. 29 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sept. 1 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Higher traffic volumes are anticipated at the Lebanon/Lancaster Interchange (Exit 266) this weekend due to concerts in Hershey and the Renaissance Faire, which is expecting up to 8,000 people on Labor Day alone. Drivers should remain alert and cautious as traffic approaching Exit 266 could back up onto the main line.

To promote safe driving, the Turnpike is sponsoring a Safety Break event at the Sideling Hill Service Plaza in Fulton County on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Throughout the weekend, Turnpike maintenance crews and safety patrols will monitor the highway, ready to assist travelers in case of an accident or breakdown.